Background
Born and raised in Washington, D.C., Mike attended Harvard University School of Extension from 1981 to 1986. He dedicated 18 years to law enforcement with the Montgomery County Police Department in Maryland, where he held various roles, including participation in several federal task forces. Mike retired in 2004 as a Detective Corporal-Supervisor in the Major Crimes Division, receiving the “Blue Heart” medal for a line-of-duty injury.
After retirement, Mike began a second career as an investigator for Homeland Security in Washington, D.C., and transferred to the San Diego office in 2006. In early 2007, he became the Director of Safety at the Rock Church, San Diego’s largest church and the 19th fastest-growing church in the nation. At the Rock, he expanded the existing 15-member volunteer security program and designed the physical security aspects of the church’s 218,000 square-foot Point Loma campus, which includes the K-12 Rock Academy and a 3,500-seat worship facility. He oversees traffic safety and community relations, and is grateful for his dedicated team of five full-time staff members.
Mike has also served as a Co-Sector Chief of the FBI InfraGard, San Diego Chapter, Faith-Based Sector. In June 2010, he founded and launched the first National Church Safety & Security Conference, now known as the National Faith-Based Safety Conference.
The Rock Church has an average weekly attendance of 15,000 across five campus locations, along with over 14 microsite locations, an online campus, and a continuing education school. The church also broadcasts live all Sunday services, reaching nearly 30,000 viewers worldwide. Given the size and activity of the church, Mike and his team manage a significant number of security concerns and challenges, supported by over 200 Safety and Traffic Safety volunteer team members who serve at the six campuses during Sunday services and special events.